The applicability of infrared (IR) spectroscopy for quantitative concentration measurements in mixtures of carbohydrates and ionic liquids (ILs) is investigated. The compound 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIM][OAc]-an "enzyme-friendly" ionic liquid with great application potential in the dissolution of various biomasses-is used as solvent in combination with alpha-D-glucose. Our study establishes a new way to monitor the concentration of sugars in ILs, thus providing a convenient method to follow the kinetics of, for example, enzymatic reactions in [EMIM][OAc]. As a first step, we present the IR spectrum of pure [EMIM][OAc] (this constitutes the first vibrational study of this particular IL). Although numerous lines overlap in the fingerprint region of the spectrum, characteristic features can be assigned to the corresponding vibrational modes of both ions. Secondly, we study different mixtures of the IL with alpha-D-glucose (in the concentration range: 0-20 mass % glucose) and analyze them by means of IR spectroscopy, followed by computational methods, thus demonstrating the great potential of this spectroscopic technique in quantitative measurements.

Homogeneous catalysis in room‐temperature ionic liquids (ILs) constitutes a most interesting field of research with high potential in technical applications. As concerns the hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, Wilkinson’s compound RhCl(PPh3)3 represents a catalyst that provides high selectivity and activity. Herein, we demonstrate the application of infrared spectroscopy to the quantitative analysis of the Wilkinson catalyst in the IL 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]). Our study demonstrates for the first time the quantitative, accurate and reproducible determination of the concentration of a rhodium catalyst by means of IR spectroscopy and, moreover, allows the investigation of intermolecular interactions. Spectral features, located mainly in the fingerprint region of the IR spectrum, are identified revealing the influence of the dissolved catalyst on the IL’s vibrational structure. In particular, the ring‐bending mode of the imidazolium ring shows a frequency shift as a function of catalyst concentration, probably due to hydrogen‐bond formation between the IL cation and the Rh complex. The results show the potential of IR spectroscopy both for application as a quick process control technology in catalytic processes and as a tool for better understanding of IL–catalyst interactions.

The conversion of biogenic carbohydrate feedstock to chemicals or energy equivalents is a promising approach to solve the problem of limited fossil fuel reserves. Some concepts to accomplish these transformations are based on ionic liquids (ILs) due to their ability to dissolve biopolymers, such as cellulose, and even complex biopolymer mixtures, such as wood. However, concerning control of such conversions, a reliable tool for process analytics is required. In this paper we demonstrate the applicability of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to perform quantitative concentration measurements of glucose and cellobiose as two examples of carbohydrates dissolved in the room-temperature ionic liquid [EMIM][OAc] (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate). For this purpose, binary mixtures in the range 0-20 wt% have been studied. A previously developed method for the data analysis, which was based on the Beer-Lambert relation, has been universalized by employing empirical correlations between the measured quantity (i.e., extinction) and the carbohydrate concentration. In the entire spectral range under investigation (500-4000 cm(-1)) numerous individual wave-numbers have been identified, allowing quantitative measurements with high accuracy and precision.

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Ionische Flüssigkeiten (ILs) sind neuartige Lösungsmittel, die auf Grund ihrer interessanten und zum Teil einzigartigen Eigenschaftskombinationen für vielfältige Anwendungen interessante Hilfsstoffe, Betriebsmittel oder Funktionsmaterialien darstellen. Die Tatsache, dass ionische Flüssigkeiten bisher hauptsächlich batchweise bzw. im Labormaßstab hergestellt werden, beschränkt zum einen ihre Verfügbarkeit für den großtechnischen Einsatz und wirkt sich zum anderen unvorteilhaft auf die Produktpreise aus. Am Beispiel der Umesterung der kommerziell im Tonnenmaßstab verfügbaren ionischen Flüssigkeit [EMIM][EtOSO3] mit verschiedenen Alkoholen wird ein Weg aufgezeigt, um kostengünstig unterschiedliche Alkylsulfatschmelzen herzustellen. Zudem wird durch kinetische und thermodynamische Untersuchungen des Reaktionssystems die Basis für eine Weiterentwicklung des Syntheseverfahrens hin zu einer kontinuierlichen Synthese geschaffen.